Hardwell, Zedd, Dillon Francis, Clockwork, TJR, Baauer

Laidback Luke

In 2010 Dutch dynamo Laidback Luke is so supercharged and all over your body that it hurts. Blasting your bassbins with blockbuster beats, making your heads spin with his hybrid house styles, even cramping up your hands as you scroll down his discography! Recently, he's worked with David Guetta, Diplo, A-Trak, Steve Aoki and Lil Jon, and remixed everyone from Black Eyed Peas to Calvin Harris and from Christina Aquilera to Moby. There have been three nominations for Luke in the Beatport Music Awards – and an International Dance Music Award (IDMA) gong in the Best House/Garage Track category for his work on 'Leave The World Behind'. He's sold out his own brand Super You&Me parties at Miami WMC. Plus, he's invited to join Cream for some Super You&Me events at Amnesia in Ibiza. All this while kick-starting a compilation series, with Laidback Luke presents Super You&Me featuring Avicii, via his own label, Mixmash Records, and still finding time to give the next generation of music makers a leg-up through his forum, at www.laidbackluke.com. He's got over 30,000 followers on Twitter, is sent 12GB+ of promos every week, and boards more than 160 flights per year – without breaking a sweat. Sure his name is Laidback, however when the music's jumping he's anything but…

Born in the Philippines, raised in the Netherlands, as a kid Luke loved guitars, graffiti, house and hip-hop, taking the 'laid back' tag from Snoop Dogg's 'Gin & Juice'. He had a mentor in Dobre (Chocolate Puma) and by 1996 was releasing tracks, remixing for established artists and DJing professionally. He even beat a Dutch DMC champ in battle. His first album came in 1999, and when Virgin locked down 'Rocking With The Best', then released his 2002 album, Electronic Satisfaction, his profile really soared. Following this he remixed the likes of Daft Punk, Murk, Oliver Lieb and Tom Stephan, introduced his own label, Mixmash, and went on to hook up with Steve Angello to remix 'Sexy F**k' and co-produce 'Otherwize Then'. He also joined forces with the Swedish House Mafia on 'Get Dumb' and signed tracks to Angello's Size, while 'Rocking With The Best 2007' blew up on Mixmash. Around this time his superhero-themed residency – Super You&Me – took off at Amsterdam club Paradiso. It was followed by another epic 12 months that saw Luke release five tracks and 18 remixes, ignite the Stealth Live! CD series with a near perfect club mix, host a weekly show on Radio FG, and perform almost 200 international DJ sets – including a BBC Radio 1 Essential Mix. It was also the year that witnessed him making a massive mark on Ibiza. After performing at all the top clubs, he produced/remixed every track on his Ibiza Closing Party mix for Mixmag and ended 2008 on another high: with 'Show Me Love' (by Luke and Steve Angello featuring Robin S), which entered both the Buzz and Cool Cuts Charts, and even reached # 11 in the UK's official singles chart. Moving into 2009, his collaboration with the Swedish House Mafia on 'Leave The World Behind' became an Essential New Tune on Pete Tong's Miami show and one of Beatport's best-selling tracks. His Super You&Me party during WMC was also a huge hit, starring Diplo and A-Trak. Consequently Luke and Diplo produced 'Hey', which was supported by DJs like Kissy Sell Out on Radio 1. Of course, Luke's remix skills continued to be in hot demand too, by, among others, David Guetta, Tiësto, Black Eyed Peas, Dizzee Rascal, Depeche Mode and MSTRKRFT. In fact, mash-ups like his remix of the Black Eyed Peas' 'I Got A Feeling' with La Roux's 'In For The Kill', his very own 'My G*O*D* (My Guns On Demo)' and Luke and Lee Mortimer's 'Blau!' blitzed the globe from Australia to Ibiza, where he was nominated for best House DJ at the DJ Awards. As a result, he landed a #27 slot in DJ magazine's Top 100 DJs Poll of 2009.

Performing and producing relentlessly and innovating musically as an artist like nobody else has propelled Luke and his superhuman fusion of hyperdrivehousestep&ghettojacktrancebass to stratospheric new heights over the last couple of years. In 2010, he's already remixed Wynter Gordon's 'Dirty Talk', as well as Ferry Corsten, Calvin Harris and Moby, and his own projects, like 'Till Tonight' feat. Jonathan Mendelsohn, and 'Turbulence' by Luke and Steve Aoki feat. Lil Jon, have gone global. So what more can the new decade bring for our r-evolutionary rebel? Well, with the crazy energy that he conveys and the martial arts that he practises, rest assured it will be out of this world. Yes, our fresh-faced superhero has good 'kung fu', always keeping an ear to the ground while his creativity rockets skyward. Luke, we salute you!

Hardwell

Award-winning DJ, Producer, Label manager, Music Lover and only at the age of 23…Let us present to you: Hardwell!

A boy, who takes his love for house music very serious, is step by step and gradually becoming a leading figure amongst the younger generation of DJs. Though Hardwell could never have dreamed what lay ahead of him when starting his DJ career at the tender age of 13.

For the last couple of years, Hardwell's overall talent is recognised by the dance music industry as a new, exciting and refreshing take on a scene that continues to evolve and with an apparent everlasting shelf life! If you want to describe Hardwell's identity and musical development in one phrase then it can be no other than that he's now arrived in the "Big Room House" sound and has created his very unique trademark as a DJ and producer.

With his "Show Me Love vs. Be" bootleg of Steve Angello and Laidback Luke's track and Robin S' classic Hardwell's International break-through was a fact! That bootleg became one of the biggest and most played dance hits of 2009, In 2010 Hardwell released some highlight worthy tracks such as, "Alright 2010" ft Red Carpet and "Feel so High" ft I-Fan which has been licensed to 10 countries, and also "Molotov" and "Voyage" have had great support from the biggest names in the scene "Move It To The Drum", a co-production with Chuckie, is likely to be one of the most played underground house records with that infectious lyric!

Over the last few years Hardwell already showed off his remix skills for top DJs, such as Fedde Le Grand, Armin van Buuren, Tiësto, Bob Sinclar, Chris Lake, Funkerman, Laidback Luke, Sharam (Deep Dish), Steve Angello, Booty Luv, Flo Rida ft. Akon, Martin Solveig, Dada Life, Alex Gaudino ft. Kelly Rowland, Gareth Emery and Hi_Tack. On top of this pronounced success stories, Hardwell's series of "Eclectic Beatz" belongs to the best selling mix albums of the last few years. 10 editions were released.

Behind the decks Hardwell never fails to deliver, his exceptional technical skills, variety of music, distinguished looks and that added personal touch make him stand out, and he's bringing it to the masses now, with performances all over the world! From Sydney to Miami, Ibiza to London.In the last couple of months Hardwell toured with Tiësto through North America and he made his debut at one of the worlds biggest dance events "Sensation" in Prague!

In 2011 Hardwell continued producing top records such as "Encoded", a track with a teaser that was viewed over 700.000 times on YouTube, reached the Beatport Top 10 and gained major support amongst the biggest DJs worldwide. And did we mention his collaboration with Tiësto on hit record "Zero 76" in February 2011. This banger went #1 on Beatport and received a great amount of airplay worldwide.

In March this year, Hardwell presented his very own radioshow "Hardwell On Air", which is broadcasted on Holland's most favourite Dance station "SLAM!FM" and biggest Satellite station Sirius XM in the US. "Hardwell On Air" will give everyone's weekend that extra boost, by bringing that trendsetting and original Hardwell sound! Next to Hardwell's latest floorfillers, the show gives a platform to new DJ talent. Also his own event "Hardwell Presents Revealed" is on its way to set clubs worldwide on fire!

Also 2011's summer season looks promising; besides the great amount of festivals he will play in The Netherlands, Hardwell will be back in Ibiza for several gigs at Privilege and Amnesia and will he perform at Electric Daisy Carnival Las Vegas, Tomorrowland Belgium, Creamfields UK, Electric Zoo NYC and Techno Parade Paris.

Producer-wise he will continue with a new episode of his new compilation series "Revealed" as a sequel to the success of "Eclectic Beatz", he will mix the Amnesia Ibiza compilation out in June and follows up with a new track "The World", that is definitely set for great things!

Do we need to continue?
It's clear as waters!

There's a new kid on the block, and he's here to stay.

Zedd

Zedd, being born into a family of musicians, began playing the piano at the age of four. After sevreal years of learning to master the piano, Anton began playing the drums in a band, and composed and produced numerous rocksongs in his band's own studio. In 2009 he began producing electronic clubmusic, to much and quick acclaim. After a peroid of only few months he attained a remarkable level and participated in Beatport's "Armand Van Helden / Strictly Rhythm Remix Contest", which he went on to win. This opened up a number of new possibilities for Zedd, and only shortly after, he won his second contest on Beatport, the "Fatboy Slim / Skint Remix Contest"! This was the foundation for several cooperations with artists such as Black Eyed Peas, Lady Gaga, P. Diddy, Skrillex, Fatboy Slim, Armand Van Helden and labels like mau5trap, Interscope, Atlantic, Strictly Rhythm or Skint Records. His first release "The Anthem" entered the Beatport charts top 20, and even made it to the second place of Track It Down charts. His remix for Skrillex' 'Scary Monsters And Nice Sprites', released on 'mau5trap recordings' climbed up the charts to #4 on Beatport and #2 on Beatport's Electro House charts. One of the reasons for this rapid development is undoubtedly Zedd's unique and highly recognizable style of composition. It stands out as very detailed and carefully produced Electro House, very playful and the same time remarkably catchy. Zedd is definitely an artist to look out for in the future...

Dillon Francis

Dillon Francis has broken from the throng of young electronic music producers with a stream of world-class remixes and big buzz surrounding his debut EP. Dillon's already received support from some of the top players, including Steve Aoki, Diplo, Will I. Am, Drop The Lime, Sinden, and Tittsworth to name a few, and his blistering productions have been heavily played by Major Lazer, who've been opening their show with the Dutch House-flavored monster "Westside!." that was consistently rinsed by top DJs on both sides of the pond. His big tune "Masta Blasta" (see Annie Mac's quote above) is also seeing official release alongside 2 brand new productions: "Que Que" Ft. Maluca, and "Brazzer's Theme."

"Masta Blasta" starts off the EP at 108 BPM, perfecting the new Moombahton sound that has infiltrated American dance clubs. Dillon squeezes in everything great about the genre: Dutch stabs, smooth bass, and a dozen drops, making it a flagship track for the movement. "Westside!", a co-production with DJ Ammo, speeds things up with huge synth stabs and a build that drives crowds into a frenzy. On "Que Que" Dillon teams up with label head Diplo and frequent Mad Decent collaborator Maluca, slowing things back down to Moombahton Levels while Maluca drops a mean latin hook. The last track on the EP, "Brazzers Theme," features the originator of Moombahton, Dave Nada. "Brazzers" starts of with a sultry beat until hitting the drop where a single siren gets pitched to the stratosphere. The only remix in the pack is held down by Munchi, the Dutch/Dominican prodigy making waves in the dance community with original productions and remixes in just about every style imaginable. For his remix of "Brazzers Theme," Munchi takes all the mellow sections and simplifies them, while making the drop even more loud and frantic than the original. Look out for his own EP on Mad Decent soon!

Clockwork

Los Angeles-born, New York City-based DJ/Producer Clockwork is no stranger to the world of electronic music. The young producer was one of the many 18 year olds circulating the dance music blogospehere with various bootleg remixes. But in 2011, armed with support and guidance from fellow young guns Felix Cartal and AutoErotique, Clockwork emerged from the throng of bedroom producers. His single "Squad Up", an original track that was played out at festivals around the world, quickly caught the attention of internationally renowned DJ, and Dim Mak chief, Steve Aoki. Aoki signed Clockwork immediately, making him the youngest artist ever signed to Dim Mak's prolific roster. Since the signing, Clockwork has officially remixed work for artists across the dance music spectrum, from Steve Aoki to Dimitri Vegas. His bootleg remix of Avicii's notorious big room anthem "Levels" reached over 80,000 plays on Soundcloud, 2 million views on Youtube, and garnered international radio play.

Clockwork's distinctive bass-heavy, big room sound has helped him gain support from the likes of Tiesto, Steve Angello, Laidback Luke, Steve Aoki, and everyone in between. His DJ sets are always as high energy and innovative as his productions, helping earn him an upcoming international tour as well as a spot on the line-up at the 2011 Hard Haunted Mansion Festival. With 2011 emerged the unique, big-room sounds that define Clockwork, but it truly is just the beginning. With a prolific propensity to create, a progressive production style, and a genuine love for the performance, Clockwork's future is looking bright.

TJR

TJR has built a formidable catalogue of remixes and original tracks since broadening
out from his acid house and techno roots in 2008. He has consistently been cooking up
big room bangers that have received massive support from prominent DJ's around the
world. Originally from the little state of Connecticut, a move to Los Angeles in 2010
saw him embrace the benefits of America's hot spot for electronic dance music.

Baauer

The love child of Brooklyn and the Internet, Baauer was born out of noise. A sound that began steeped in the 4/4 dance tradition, slowly took on hip hop tendencies until the two became one. Influenced heavily by southern hip-hop and UK bass sounds, Baauer has found himself smack dab in the middle of the electronic renaissance. He is the delectable fusion of future-crunk and leather shaken aggressively in a bottle for years and has only just opened the top to pour the mixture out.